TALLAHASSEE — There clearly was one word on FSU coach Jimbo Fisher's mind Monday when he met with reporters for the first time since the Seminoles' loss at NC State.

He said it 13 times.

The loss was a product of a "lack of execution," Fisher said.

"After watching the film, [it was] not finishing with execution in all phases," he said. "We made enough mistakes that can cost you."

To hear FSU fans tell it, the mistakes were costly, alright. To them, they all occurred in one half of the 17-16 defeat, and they stemmed from one individual: Fisher.

"Yeah, execution wasn't great, but head coach/[offensive coordinator] decisions were awful," one fan commented on the Orlando Sentinel's Chopping Block blog less than two hours before Monday's noon news conference.

"Put that loss on Jimbo," another chimed in. "His play calling was terrible."

Fisher holds the title of head coach and offensive coordinator. Tight ends coach James Coley also serves as offensive coordinator, but the majority of offensive decisions go through Fisher.

If you ask Fisher about the Seminoles' (5-1, 2-1 ACC) play-call strategy, particularly in the questionable fourth quarter that saw the Wolfpack rally from a 13-point deficit to claim a second-straight come-from-behind home victory over the Seminoles, he will disagree with the fans.

Fisher said the calls were fine and his players agreed.

"It was just one or two plays that happened the wrong way," safety Terrence Brooks said. "It's just that everybody's got to do their assignment and be on point. Everything will take care of itself when we do that."

Specifically in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles' issues were the product of three straight failed drives.

The first ended when officials didn't grant receiver Kelvin Benjamin with a tough reception along the Seminoles' sideline.

As quarterback EJ Manuel tried to get the Seminoles past the first down marker on a third-and-11 play, he delivered a pass to the 6-foot-5 Benjamin's left shoulder that was caught as the receiver got one foot down near the sideline. As he turned his body on the landing, Benjamin dove forward into his bench. When he hit the ground, the ball came out.

Officials said he didn't have possession, and ruled the pass incomplete. The near-20-yard pass would have resulted in a first down on the third-and-11 play.

"We agreed to disagree on that one," Fisher said, referring to a disagreement with the ACC office on the official call.

Fifty-two yards away from a possible Dustin Hopkins field goal, the Seminoles punted to end that drive.

"The way I compared it was, running backs like to run, receivers like to catch passes, defenders like to make tackles. Well, kickers like to make kicks," said Hopkins, who was eager for the try.

FSU's next series lasted three plays before a punt was blocked. On NC State's ensuing possession, the Wolfpack scored the go-ahead 3-yard touchdown. FSU's final possession ended as time expired on a Hail Mary pass that was batted away near the end zone.

"It all goes back to execution," Fisher said. "You constantly evaluate yourself as a playcaller. . . . It's a constant evaluation. It never changes.